Abigail is Sick!

[Chickens Are Cute]

My chick Abigail has, what I believe, upper respiratory infection. She has trouble breathing, and opens her mouth slightly to get air. She is also really hot in the feet, like she has a fever. We have been giving her a medicine called VetRX Poultry Aid. We have only given her two doses so far. I would really appreciate it if someone could give advice on how to cure this. Should I take her to the vet?

Also, I have a suspicion that she is a rooster...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Chickens Are Cute

How old is Abigail? Can you post some photos?
What other symptoms are you seeing - does she have a runny nose, facial swelling or any watery eyes?
Have you checked her crop to see if it's emptying overnight?
Where is she housed - do you have a picture?

If you have vet care, that is always best.

There are several things that can cause similar symptoms - respiratory illness, molds, poor ventilation, being too hot and sometimes dusty bedding/feed too. Respiratory illnesses like Mycoplasma , Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Coryza and ILT can be common. Antibiotics may be need to help control secondary infections.

Offer her water with poultry vitamins if you have them and see that she is eating.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Chickens Are Cute]

Hi @Chickens Are Cute

How old is Abigail? Can you post some photos?
What other symptoms are you seeing - does she have a runny nose, facial swelling or any watery eyes?
Have you checked her crop to see if it's emptying overnight?
Where is she housed - do you have a picture?

If you have vet care, that is always best.

There are several things that can cause similar symptoms - respiratory illness, molds, poor ventilation, being too hot and sometimes dusty bedding/feed too. Respiratory illnesses like Mycoplasma , Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Coryza and ILT can be common. Antibiotics may be need to help control secondary infections.

Offer her water with poultry vitamins if you have them and see that she is eating.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Thanks for the advice! She is about seven weeks old, and we are currently housing her in a bin-cage type brooder. She still has the heat lamp on, so she might be kinda hot (not sure how old they have to be to turn off the heat lamp).

She doesn't seem to have anything else to worry about but some the breathing problems.

 

[chicmom]

Panting can mean she's overheated. Once they're fully feathered, they don't need much heat from a lamp. How's the weather in your area?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you put a thermometer under the hottest part of the floor in your brooder? Normally, she should not need heat at all anymore with her feathers grown in, but if she is sick and acting cold, a little heat to keep her warm around 80 degrees is helpful. But too much heat can be a cause of breathing problems, as well as dust, or poor air circulation. Is she alone in the vrooder, or are there others with her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you put a thermometer under the hottest part of the floor in your brooder? Normally, she should not need heat at all anymore with her feathers grown in, but if she is sick and acting cold, a little heat to keep her warm around 80 degrees is helpful. But too much heat can be a cause of breathing problems, as well as dust, or poor air circulation. Is she alone in the vrooder, or are there others with her?

Agreed. Checking your temperature is a very good idea. At 7wks old she may be overheating if you are still providing heat.

Photos of your set-up would be helpful.

 

[Chickens Are Cute]

Thanks! I'll get a pic of the set-up ASAP!

The weathers getting very cold now, but It was warmer yesterday. We are continuing to give her her medicine. We are also saving antibiotics as last resort.